An Early Thanksgiving

On the day before the Rosh Hashanah holiday each year for the past eighteen years, I receive a message from a Rabbi in Los Angeles. I am not Jewish but have many observant Jews who work for me, so I am well aware of the holiday schedule and that Rosh Hashanah is their New Year, a time for celebration.

I find his message of thanks to be especially resonant because he and his wife lost their son years ago, yet they call to remind themselves (and me) of the many blessings they’ve had in life. The reason the Rabbi calls me every year is a wonderful example of the spirit of thanksgiving: Back in 1988, he and his wife had a three year old son who had an illness that was confounding the doctors in Los Angeles. One day the boy’s father called me to see if they could borrow my jet. He didn’t know me, and I didn’t know him. But he explained that no commercial airline would fly his son due to the extensive equipment required to sustain his life. It was considered too big of a risk. I had small children at the time, and I immediately said yes to his request. How could I say no?

I sent my jet out and brought the little boy and his parents to New York with the hope that doctors here might find a cure for the severe breathing illness that he was suffering from. His cure was not to be, but his parents have remained grateful to this day. I am always touched that they remember me.

In these recent days of upheaval in our country, I found the Rabbi’s yearly message to be an insight into a good way to handle difficult and even tragic times--to find a blessing in the midst of adversity. This family and their faith is a wonderful example for all of us, and I would like to thank them for their yearly reminder. We should realize that we all have a lot to be thankful for whether it’s New Year’s, Thanksgiving, or just another Wednesday in our lives.